How to Hit a Draw

The draw is a highly sought-after shot shape in golf, allowing players to achieve more distance, better control, and increased shot variety. A draw is a shot that starts to the right of the target (for a right-handed golfer) and gently curves back towards the target line. Mastering the draw can significantly improve your game, but it requires practice and understanding of the fundamentals. In this guide, we’ll discuss how to hit a draw and unlock your shot-shaping potential on the course.

1. Proper setup and alignment:

To hit a draw, you must first ensure that your setup and alignment are correct. Start by aiming your clubface at the target. Then, set your feet, hips, and shoulders parallel to the target line, but slightly to the right. This creates an inside-to-outside swing path, which is crucial for hitting a draw.

2. Adjust your grip:

A strong grip can help promote the right-to-left ball flight needed for a draw. To adopt a stronger grip, rotate both hands clockwise on the grip, so you can see more knuckles on your left hand (for right-handed golfers). This encourages the clubface to close more quickly through impact, producing the desired shot shape.

3. Shallow your swing plane:

A flatter or shallower swing plane promotes an inside-to-outside path, which is essential for hitting a draw. As you take the club back, focus on keeping your hands lower and closer to your body. This will help you swing on a more rounded path, making it easier to achieve the desired inside-to-outside motion.

4. Rotate your body through impact:

To hit a draw, it’s essential to maintain good body rotation throughout the swing. As you approach the ball, focus on turning your hips and shoulders towards the target. This rotation helps to keep the clubface closed and promotes an inside-to-outside swing path.

5. Release the club properly:

Releasing the club correctly is crucial for hitting a draw. As you approach impact, allow your wrists to unhinge and rotate the clubface through the ball. This release should feel natural and not forced. A proper release will help to close the clubface, promoting the right-to-left ball flight needed for a draw.

6. Practice and commitment:

Hitting a draw consistently requires practice and dedication. Spend time on the driving range working on the fundamentals outlined above, and don’t be discouraged if you don’t see immediate results. With patience and persistence, you’ll eventually unlock the ability to hit a draw on command.

Drills to Help You Hit a Draw

Drill	Purpose	Execution	Tips	Variations
Alignment drill	Train proper alignment	Place two alignment sticks on the ground to aim at	Focus on aligning feet, hips, and shoulders with the sticks	Move the sticks closer or farther away
Swing path drill	Improve inside-out swing path	Place a headcover outside the ball to promote inside takeaway	Focus on the club moving inside the target line on the backswing	Use different clubs for variation
Impact drill	Train correct impact position	Hit shots with feet together to promote centeredness and balance	Focus on hitting the ball solidly with a descending angle of attack	Hit different shots with different clubs
Release drill	Train proper release of hands	Hit shots with a deliberate release of the hands	Focus on turning the hands over through impact to square the clubface	Use different clubs for variation

 

Factors Affecting Draw Shot

Factor	Impact on Draw	Ideal Value	Adjustment Needed	Result
Club Speed	High	Fast	Increase club speed	Promotes draw
Ball Position	High	Back in stance	Move ball back	Encourage draw
Tee Height	Medium	Low	Lower Tee Height	Promotes draw
Grip Pressure	Medium	Firm	Apply firm grip	Encourage draw
Wind Direction	Low	Right-to-left	Play with wind	Assists draw

Grip Techniques for Hitting a Draw

Technique	Description	Benefit	Example
Strong Grip	Turn both hands to the right on the club	Encourages the clubface to close at impact	Dustin Johnson
Neutral Grip	Hands are positioned in a standard position	Allows for easy manipulation of the clubface	Tiger Woods
Weak Grip	Turn both hands to the left on the club	Promotes an open clubface at impact	Phil Mickelson
Ten Finger Grip	All ten fingers are on the club	Provides maximum control over the clubface	Bubba Watson
Interlocking Grip	Index finger of the left hand and pinky of the right hand interlock	Promotes a fluid and comfortable swing	Jack Nicklaus

 Stance and Alignment Tips for Hitting a Draw

Tip	Description	Benefit	Example
Open Stance	Align feet to the left of the target	Encourages an in-to-out swing path	Fred Couples
Closed Stance	Align feet to the right of the target	Promotes an out-to-in swing path	Lee Trevino
Ball Position	Move the ball back in the stance	Helps create a descending blow at impact	Rory McIlroy
Alignment	Aim the clubface to the right of the target	Encourages an inside-out swing path	Jordan Spieth
Body Alignment	Align shoulders to the right of the target	Promotes an inside-out swing path	Ernie Els

Swing Tips for Hitting a Draw

Tip	Description	Benefit	Example
Takeaway	Keep the clubhead outside the hands	Encourages a proper swing plane	Sergio Garcia
Backswing	Maintain a wide arc and avoid a steep backswing	Creates a shallow angle of attack	Rickie Fowler
Downswing	Lead with the lower body and rotate the hips	Encourages an inside-out swing path	Justin Thomas
Impact	Keep the clubface square to the target	Promotes a straight or draw ball flight	Adam Scott
Follow-Through	Extend the arms and rotate through the shot	Creates a fluid and powerful finish	Brooks Koepka

 Practice Drills for Hitting a Draw

Drill	Description	Benefit	Example
Alignment Rod Drill	Place an alignment rod on the ground to guide the swing path	Promotes a proper swing path	Jason Day
Towel Drill	Place a towel under the right armpit to promote connection between the arms and body	Encourages a connected swing	Henrik Stenson
Swing Plane Board Drill	Use a swing plane board to maintain a proper swing plane	Promotes a proper swing plane	Zach

Common Mistakes When Trying to Hit a Draw

Mistake	Cause	Effect	Correction	Exercise
Overdoing draw	Too much draw bias	Over-compensating	Dial back the bias	Use a less draw-biased club
Poor grip	Weak grip	Open clubface	Strengthen grip	Grip strengthening exercises
Overactive hands	Manipulating clubface	Inconsistent shots	Use the body to control the swing	Swing with the body and keep hands passive
Poor timing	Rushing swing	Inconsistent contact	Slow down the swing	Practice with slower swings
Poor alignment	Misaligned stance	Misdirected shots	Realign stance	Use alignment sticks

Draw Shot Aids and Drills

Aid/Drill	Purpose	Benefit	Set-up	Repetitions
Alignment rods	Swing path	Inside-out path	Parallel to target	10-15 reps
Tee drill	Clubface angle	Closed clubface	Tee outside ball	10-15 reps
Towel drill	Clubface angle	Closed clubface	Towel under armpit	10-15 reps
Foot spray	Impact location	Centered impact	Spray on clubface	5-10 reps
Gate drill	Swing path	Inside-out path	Gate around ball	10-15 reps

Course Management for Draw Shots

Hole Type	Club Selection	Target Line	Wind Factor	Risk Management
Dogleg left	Driver	Right edge	Use right-to-left wind	Avoid left hazards
Long Par 4	3 Wood	Right-center	Use right-to-left wind	Avoid tight fairways
Short Par 4	4 Hybrid	Right-center	Use right-to-left wind	Avoid short-sided greens
Long Par 5	3 Wood	Right edge	Use right-to-left wind	Avoid left out of bounds
Short Par 5	5 Wood	Right-center	Use right-to-left wind	Avoid aggressive lines
Long Par 3	5 Iron	Right-center	Use right-to-left wind	Account for slope
Medium Par 3	7 Iron	Right-center	Use right-to-left wind	Account for slope
Short Par 3	9 Iron	Right-center	Use right-to-left wind	Account for slope
Uphill Hole	Club up	Right-center	Use right-to-left wind	Factor in elevation change
Downhill Hole	Club down	Right-center	Use right-to-left wind	Factor in elevation change

Conclusion:

Learning how to hit a draw in golf can be a game-changer for many players. By focusing on proper setup and alignment, adjusting your grip, shallowing your swing plane, rotating your body through impact, and releasing the club properly, you’ll be well on your way to mastering this sought-after shot shape. Commit to practicing these fundamentals, and you’ll soon be able to shape your shots like a pro.